AR SB642

Codifies the strict scrutiny standard from Linder v. Linder (2002), requiring the government to demonstrate a compelling interest and use the least restrictive means before substantially burdening parental rights over a child's care, custody, education, health care, and mental health

Guarantees parents the right to access all health, medical, and educational records of their child, make all physical and mental healthcare decisions, direct religious and moral training, and choose public, private, religious, or home schooling

Requires parental consent before government entities can collect, store, or share a child's biometric data (fingerprints, facial recognition, brain wave patterns, etc.) or create records of a child's blood or DNA

Mandates prompt parental notification when a government employee reasonably believes child maltreatment or a criminal offense has been committed against the child by someone other than the parent, with exceptions for ongoing investigations

Provides legal remedies for parents whose rights are violated, including declaratory relief, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and reasonable attorney's fees, with no requirement to exhaust administrative remedies first